---
title: "[Set Up Your Project] - Generate a Management Token"
description: Generate a management token that provides secure read-write access to your stack's content through the Content Management API.
url: https://www.contentstack.com/docs/developers/create-tokens/generate-a-management-token
product: Contentstack
doc_type: how-to
audience:
  - developers
  - admins
version: current
last_updated: 2026-03-25
---

# [Set Up Your Project] - Generate a Management Token

This page explains how to generate a management token in Contentstack and configure its scope, permissions, expiry, and rate limits. It is intended for stack Owners or Admins who need secure read-write access for integrations or tooling that uses the Content Management API.

## Generate a Management Token

Contentstack allows you to generate a **management token** that provides secure **read-write access** to your stack's content through the **Content Management API**. Only the stack [Owner](/docs/developers/invite-users-and-assign-roles/types-of-roles#owner) or [Admin](/docs/developers/invite-users-and-assign-roles/types-of-roles#admin) has permission to create or view these tokens. Here's how to generate a management token and configure its access levels, expiry, and rate limits.

**Note:** Manage Rate Limits is a plan-based feature. For more details, contact our [support](mailto:support@contentstack.com) team.

To generate a management token, log in to your [Contentstack account](https://www.contentstack.com/login/), go to your [stack](/docs/developers/set-up-stack/about-stack), and perform the following steps:
- Click the “Settings” icon in the left navigation panel.
- Select **Tokens** from the list.
- Navigate to the **Management Tokens** tab and click **+ Management Token**.
- Provide a relevant **Name** and **Description** for the token.
- Under **Scope**:Choose the [branches](/docs/developers/branches/about-branches) to which you want the token to have access (e.g., All Branches or Specific Branch(es)).
- Choose the [aliases](/docs/developers/branches/about-aliases) to fetch or manage data from their associated branches.

**Tip**: This option appears only if an alias exists for a branch.
- Select the stack-level permissions you want to assign to this token (e.g., Read and/or Write).
- Under **Expiry**, set an expiration limit for the token:Select **Never** if the token should not expire.
- Choose **Date (in UTC)** to set a specific expiration date. If selected, you can also enable **Notify via email** to receive a reminder **7 days** before expiry.**Note:** The management token expires at **midnight UTC** on the chosen date. When a management token expires, it becomes invalid and cannot be used to make any [Content Management API](/docs/developers/apis/content-management-api) calls.
- In the **Manage Rate Limits** section, configure the token's rate limits within your organization's overall rate limit:**Use Organization Rate Limit (default):** The token will follow the default organization-wide rate limit.
- **Enforce Custom Rate Limit:** You can specify a custom rate limit for the token, within the organization’s overall rate limit.**Read Requests Per Second:** Enter the maximum number of GET requests allowed for the token.
- **Write Requests Per Second:** Enter the maximum number of POST, PUT, DELETE, or other requests allowed for the token.

**Note:** Custom rate limits cap the number of requests per second, ensuring efficient usage within your organization’s allocation.
- Click **Generate Token**. A confirmation window displays the **Stack API Key** and the generated **Management Token**.
**Warning:** Make sure to copy the token now—once the window is closed, you won’t be able to view it again.
- Click **Done** on the modal to finalize and activate the management token.

**Note:** You can generate up to **30 management tokens per stack** within your organization.

## Common questions

### Who can create or view management tokens?
Only the stack Owner or Admin has permission to create or view these tokens.

### What happens if I close the confirmation window after generating a token?
You won’t be able to view the token again, so you must copy it before closing the window.

### When does a management token expire if I set a date?
The management token expires at midnight UTC on the chosen date.

### How many management tokens can I generate per stack?
You can generate up to 30 management tokens per stack within your organization.